BRATTLEBORO - The town of Brattleboro has sued the founder of a now-bankrupt company that tried to develop a sustainable food, energy and algae system, seeking money he borrowed from the town.

The town says Donald McCormick borrowed $40,000 to set up Carbon Harvest. The goal was to use methane gas from the Windham Solid Waste Management District to power a closed loop system that would produce food in greenhouses.

McCormick launched his project in 2010; investors later took over, saying he had run out of cash. Carbon filed for bankruptcy protection in April.

The Brattleboro Reformer reported that the town is asking McCormick to repay about $14,000 plus interest, along with court and legal fees. McCormick asked to relieved from the debt and said he was considering personal bankruptcy.